How Many U.S. Presidents Have Been Assassinated?

The Assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on April 14, 1865. He was attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. when he was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. Lincoln died the following day, making him the first U.S. president to be assassinated.

Almost a century later, on November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was riding in an open convertible during a motorcade when he was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. Kennedy died a short time later, making him the fourth U.S. president to be assassinated.

The assassinations of Lincoln and Kennedy are among the most significant events in U.S. history. Both men were beloved by the American people, and their deaths shook the nation to its core. In the aftermath of each assassination, there were questions about motive, conspiracy, and security.

Today, the legacies of Lincoln and Kennedy continue to inspire and fascinate people around the world. Numerous books, movies, and TV shows have been made about their lives, their presidencies, and their tragic deaths. The assassinations of these two presidents remind us of the importance of political stability, leadership, and security in the United States and around the world.

Other Attempts and Assassination Plots

In addition to the successful assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, there have been numerous other attempts and plots to assassinate U.S. presidents throughout history. Some of the most notable include:

• Andrew Jackson: On January 30, 1835, Richard Lawrence attempted to assassinate President Andrew Jackson outside the U.S. Capitol building. Jackson managed to fight off Lawrence with his cane, and Lawrence was subsequently apprehended.

• Theodore Roosevelt: In 1912, while campaigning for a third term, Theodore Roosevelt was shot by John Flammang Schrank. The bullet passed through Roosevelt’s glasses case and a folded copy of his speech before lodging in his chest. Despite his wound, Roosevelt insisted on delivering his scheduled speech before seeking medical attention.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt: In 1933, just weeks before his inauguration, Franklin D. Roosevelt narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Miami, Florida. The would-be assassin, Giuseppe Zangara, was attempting to kill Roosevelt but missed and ended up shooting and killing the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak.

• Gerald Ford: In 1975, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in Sacramento, California. She was apprehended before she could fire her gun.

• Ronald Reagan: In 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan and three others outside a hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan was seriously injured but recovered, while his press secretary James Brady was left permanently disabled.

These attempts and plots illustrate the ongoing threat to U.S. presidential security and the importance of maintaining a high level of protection for the country’s leaders.

The Assassination of James A. Garfield

James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was assassinated on July 2, 1881, just four months after he took office. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who had been denied a job in Garfield’s administration.

After being shot, Garfield was taken to a nearby train station and transported to the White House, where he spent the next two months in agony. Despite the efforts of his doctors, Garfield died on September 19, 1881, making him the second U.S. president to be assassinated.

Guiteau was put on trial for Garfield’s murder and was found guilty. He was sentenced to death and was executed on June 30, 1882.

Garfield’s assassination had a significant impact on U.S. politics and presidential security. In the aftermath of the assassination, the Secret Service was tasked with protecting the president, and a number of new security measures were implemented to ensure the safety of the country’s leaders.

The Assassination of William McKinley

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated on September 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley was shot twice by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist who believed that the president was an enemy of the people.

McKinley was taken to a nearby hospital, where he initially appeared to be recovering. However, he developed gangrene in his wounds and died of his injuries on September 14, 1901, making him the third U.S. president to be assassinated.

Czolgosz was captured immediately after the shooting and was put on trial for McKinley’s murder. He was found guilty and was executed by electrocution on October 29, 1901.

McKinley’s assassination was another turning point in U.S. presidential security. Following the assassination, security measures were tightened even further, and the Secret Service was given greater authority to protect the president. The tragedy also sparked debate about the role of anarchists in U.S. society and the need for greater vigilance against extremist ideologies.

Presidential Security Measures and Protection Today

In the wake of numerous assassination attempts and successful assassinations of U.S. presidents throughout history, presidential security measures have evolved significantly over time. Today, the protection of the president and other high-ranking government officials is a top priority for the U.S. government.

The Secret Service, which was originally established in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiting, is now primarily responsible for presidential security. The agency employs a wide range of protective measures, including physical security at the White House and other government buildings, advanced communications systems, and sophisticated intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities.

In addition to the Secret Service, other federal agencies and local law enforcement officials also play a critical role in protecting the president. These agencies work closely together to identify potential threats, develop security plans, and respond quickly and effectively in the event of an attack.

Presidential security measures have also evolved in response to new threats and challenges. For example, the events of September 11, 2001, led to a significant expansion of security measures to protect against terrorist attacks. Today, presidential security is a complex and constantly evolving field that requires ongoing investment and innovation to stay ahead of potential threats.